Scope Statement

Scope statements may take many forms depending on the type of project being implemented and the nature of the organization. The scope statement details the project deliverables and describes the major objectives. The objectives should include measurable success criteria for the project.

A scope statement  captures, in very broad terms, the product of the project: for example, "development of a software-based system to capture and track orders for software". A scope statement should also include the list of users using the product, as well as the features in the resulting product.

As a baseline scope statements should contain:

  • The project name
  • The project charter
  • The project owner, sponsors, and stakeholders
  • The problem statement
  • The project goals and objectives
  • The project requirements
  • The project deliverables
  • The project non-goals (what is out of scope)
  • Milestones
  • Cost estimates

In more project-oriented organizations, the scope statement may also contain these and other sections:

  • Project scope management plan
  • Approved change requests
  • Project assumptions and risks
  • Project acceptance criteria

Figure 9.2 image description: A project manager develops a Scope Management Plan by taking the project charter, organizational memory, and the project plan and applying the following techniques and tools:

  • Calls on past project experience
  • Uses scope management templates (SOS, WBS, Scope Management Plan)
  • Uses Communication skills (for negotiating with and educating clients)

Figure 9.3 image description:

0.0 Clean Room

  • 1.0 Mop floor.
    • 1.1 Get mop and bucket out.
    • 1.2 Mix cleaner with water in bucket.
    • 1.3 Rinse out bucket and mop.
  • 2.0 Dust
    • 2.1 Coffee table
    • 2.2 Blinds
  • 3.0 Vacuum
    • 3.1 Get vacuum out of closet
    • 3.2 Vacuum carpet
    • 3.3 Empty bag
    • 3.4 Connect hose and plug
  • 4.0 Pick up floor
    • 4.1 Toys
      • 4.1.1 Put toys in box
    • 4.2 Clothes
      • 4.2.1 Hang up in closet
  • 5.0 Clean curtains
    • 5.1 Remove curtains
    • 5.2 Take to cleaners
    • 5.3 Hang curtains